JP3999313B2 - Monitoring method for metal analyzer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a metal analyzer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a metal analyzer, the element concentration (analytical value) of an impurity in a metal is calculated by performing a calculation with a microcomputer based on a measured value detected by a measuring unit and a predetermined calculation program.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such metal analyzers use high frequencies and high currents, and therefore have high noise. For this reason, the data stored in the hard disk or the like is easily destroyed, and therefore an abnormality may occur in the analysis value due to an abnormality in software such as the arithmetic program. In this case, it is necessary for the manufacturer to dispatch a developer to the site, or to make an investigation for debugging by reproducing the abnormality with a metal analyzer (manufacturer) at hand of the developer by telephone contact. However, dispatching developers takes a lot of money and time. On the other hand, when reproducing the abnormality with the device at the developer's hand, accurate information is not transmitted over the telephone, and it is difficult to reproduce a subtle abnormality. Furthermore, since the postage of the medium storing the software is required after the correction, it is not economical and it is difficult to quickly deal with bugs.
[0004]
Therefore, it is conceivable that a monitoring computer is connected to the metal analyzer via a communication means such as a public line and the metal analyzer is debugged so-called online. However, before debugging the arithmetic program, it is necessary to investigate in advance whether or not there is an abnormality in each device of the measurement unit by directly operating the metal analyzer. Such a problem similarly occurs when installing in addition to debugging.
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for monitoring a metal analyzer for solving such a problem.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a measurement unit having a gas concentration detector for detecting the concentration of gas generated from a metal supplied to a furnace, a measurement value from the measurement unit, and a predetermined calculation program . In a monitoring method for a metal analyzer, comprising: a first computer for analysis that calculates an element concentration of an impurity in a metal based on analysis software included therein and outputs the element concentration; and communication means for the metal analyzer A second computer for monitoring is sent to the first computer via the computer, and a program for finding the bug is connected to the first computer. The operating state confirmation detecting means provided in the metal analyzer is incorporated in the operating state confirmation measurement value from the operating state confirmation detector of the measuring unit and the confirmation detecting means. The value and analytical detection information obtained to determine the operating status of the measuring part from the history of transmission to the second computer for the monitoring via the first computer and the communication means for the analysis.
The detection means for checking the operating status is detected by determining the operating status not only from the detectors and measuring instruments provided in each device of the metal analyzer, but also from the setting values built in the microcomputer and the history of analysis. Including means.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a case where debugging is performed according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present specification, “bug” refers to a software (software) error such as a program and variables and functions related to the program. Further, “debugging” means finding and repairing hardware abnormality (hardware) or finding and correcting software error.
[0008]
In FIG. 1, there is a metal analyzer 1 on the user side, and a personal computer (personal computer) 2 constituting a monitoring computer on the manufacturer side. The metal analyzing apparatus 1 includes a microcomputer (user's microcomputer) 3 and a measuring unit 4. The user's microcomputer 3 is connected to the manufacturer's personal computer 2 via the communication means 5. That is, the personal computer 2 of the manufacturer has a built-in modem 6 and is connected to the modem 7 connected to the user's microcomputer 3 via the public line 8. Note that commercially available terminal software or remote software is installed in the user's microcomputer 3 and the manufacturer's personal computer 2 respectively.
[0009]
In FIG. 2, the measuring unit 4 of the metal analyzer 1 includes an electric furnace 9 for burning metal. The combustion gas G generated from the metal burned in the electric furnace 9 passes through the flue 10 and is introduced into the infrared gas concentration detector 11 where the concentration of CO2 and SO2 in the combustion gas G is detected. The measurement value a from the infrared gas concentration detector 11 is output to the microcomputer 3 of the user.
[0010]
The measuring unit 4 is provided with an ammeter A, a pressure sensor P, a resistance measuring device R, and the like that constitute a part of the detection means for checking the operation status.
The flue 10 is provided with an on-off valve (electromagnetic valve) V, and the on-off valve V is provided with an ammeter A for measuring a current value for operating the on-off valve V. The ammeter A outputs a measured current value to the user's microcomputer 3. The pressure sensor P detects the pressure in the oxygen supply passage 12 that supplies oxygen into the electric furnace 9 and outputs the measured pressure to the user's microcomputer 3. The resistance measuring device R detects the resistance of a heater (not shown) of the electric furnace 9 and outputs the detected resistance value to the user's microcomputer 3.
[0011]
The user's microcomputer 3 incorporates a CPU 30, a RAM 31 and a ROM 32, and is connected to a keyboard 113 , a display 114 , a printer 115 and the modem 7 which constitute an input unit.
[0012]
The RAM 31 stores analysis software such as a calculation program for calculating an analysis value, a correction coefficient unique to the apparatus, a gas correction coefficient, and a calibration curve. The CPU 30 includes analysis means 33. The analysis means 33 calculates an analysis value of the measurement value a from the infrared gas concentration detector 11 based on analysis software.
[0013]
In addition, the RAM 31 stores a set current value, a set pressure value, a first set resistance value Ω1, a second set resistance value Ω2 (Ω2 <Ω1), and the like that constitute a part of the detection means for operating condition confirmation. . The CPU 30 includes determination means such as a valve opening / closing determination means 34, a combustion determination means 35, a disconnection determination means 36, and a disconnection notice determination means 37, which constitute a part of the operation status confirmation detection means.
[0014]
The valve open / close determining means 34 compares the set current value stored in the RAM 31 with the measured current value from the ammeter A to determine the open / closed state of the open / close valve V. When the measured current value is large, it is indirectly determined that the on-off valve is open, thereby determining that the combustion gas G is introduced into the infrared gas concentration detector 11.
[0015]
The combustion determining means 35 compares the set pressure value stored in the RAM 31 with the measured pressure from the pressure sensor P to determine the combustion state depending on whether or not a predetermined amount of oxygen is consumed in the electric furnace 9. For example, when the measured pressure is lower than the set pressure value, it is indirectly determined that a predetermined amount of oxygen is consumed in the electric furnace 9, and the metal is burned in the electric furnace 9. Is determined.
[0016]
The disconnection discriminating means 36 compares the first set resistance value stored in the RAM 31 with the measured resistance value from the resistance measuring device R and discriminates the disconnection of the heater. For example, from the first set resistance value Ω1 If the measured resistance value is large, it is indirectly determined that the heater is disconnected.
[0017]
The disconnection notice determination means 37 compares the first set resistance value Ω1 and the second set resistance value Ω2 stored in the RAM 31 with the measured resistance value from the resistance measuring device R, and determines the disconnection notice of the heater. For example, when the measured resistance value is smaller than the first set resistance value Ω1 and larger than the second set resistance value Ω2, it is indirectly determined that the heater is likely to break.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the modem 6, the manufacturer's personal computer 2 has a CPU 21, a RAM 22, and a ROM 23, and a keyboard 13, a display 14, and a printer 15.
[0019]
The RAM 22 stores a test tool (debugging program) for debugging the analysis software stored in the user's microcomputer 3. This test tool is started after being transmitted from the manufacturer's personal computer 2 to the user's microcomputer 3, and transmits intermediate variables and internal variables to the manufacturer's personal computer 2. Here, the internal variable means a set value of the waiting time between each operation of the measuring unit 4 at the time of analysis, and the intermediate variable is analyzed after obtaining the measured value a (FIG. 2). An intermediate value until a value is obtained.
[0020]
The keyboard 13 is used for inputting necessary for communication and debugging. The display 14 and the printer 15 display or print information necessary for debugging, such as the determination result from the operating state confirmation detecting means, intermediate variables, and internal variables.
[0021]
Next, a debugging method for the metal analyzer will be described.
First, the test tool stored in the RAM 22 of the manufacturer's personal computer 2 is transmitted to the user's microcomputer 3 via the communication means 5. Next, prior to debugging of the analysis software, the CPU 30 of the user's microcomputer 3 in FIG. 2 monitors each device of the metal analyzer and detects whether or not each device has an abnormality to obtain detection information. . As described above, this detection information is obtained by each of the discrimination means 33 to 37.
[0022]
That is, the valve opening / closing determination means 34 indirectly determines whether or not the combustion gas G is introduced into the infrared gas concentration detector 11. The combustion discriminating means 35 indirectly discriminates whether or not the metal is combusting in the electric furnace 9. The disconnection determination means 36 indirectly determines whether or not the heater is disconnected. The disconnection notice determination unit 37 indirectly determines whether or not the heater is likely to be disconnected. Each of these determinations is performed by operating each device individually or by actually performing a metal analysis.
[0023]
The detection information is transmitted to the manufacturer's personal computer 2 via the communication means 5 of FIG. After confirming that there is no abnormality in each of the devices based on the detection information, the analysis software is debugged as follows.
[0024]
First, the transmitted test tool is activated by operating the keyboard 14. After this startup, metal analysis is performed. That is, the combustion gas G is extracted by burning the metal, and the combustion gas G is taken into the infrared gas concentration detector 11 every 10 msec to obtain the measurement value a. Correct with a coefficient, and then convert the concentration using a calibration curve. Before reaching this concentration calculation, the test tool outputs the intermediate variable generated in each stage, and the intermediate variable is transmitted to the manufacturer's personal computer 2 via the communication means 5.
[0025]
After this transmission, a bug is found from the intermediate variable, and the analysis software is corrected. The modified analysis software is transmitted from the manufacturer's personal computer 2 to the user's microcomputer 3 via the communication means 5. This completes debugging.
[0026]
Similarly, in the case of installation, an abnormality can be detected by monitoring each device of the metal analyzer in advance. Furthermore, by periodically transmitting the detection information to the monitoring computer, it is possible to predict an abnormality such as a heater disconnection.
[0027]
Further, the detection means for confirming the operating condition is constituted only by a sensor provided in the measuring unit 4, and the detection information is taken into the user's microcomputer 3, and the user's microcomputer 3 is connected to the manufacturer's personal computer 2 through the communication means 5. It may be transmitted. For example, in the case of a high frequency furnace having a transfer device for transferring a crucible into the furnace, an optical sensor is provided to detect that a crucible or a part of the transfer device has passed a predetermined transfer path, and this optical sensor detects ON / OFF detection information is output to the CPU 30 of the user's microcomputer 3. The CPU 30 indirectly determines whether or not the crucible has been conveyed into the inside of the high-frequency furnace based on ON / OFF detection information from the optical sensor.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, a metal analyzer 1 including a personal computer 16 incorporating a user's microcomputer 3 and a modem 7 and a measuring unit 4 connected to the personal computer 16 may be used.
[0029]
Moreover, although the communication means 5 in the said embodiment was comprised with the modem 6 built in the personal computer 2 of the manufacturer, the public line 8, and the modem 7 connected to the user's microcomputer 3, such computers are one to one. Instead of a connection method for connecting, a computer network for connecting a plurality of computers such as the Internet or a LAN may be used. A public line including wireless communication such as a mobile phone may be used instead of a general telephone line. Further, a digital public line may be used instead of the analog public line 8, and a terminal adapter (TA) may be used instead of the modems 6 and 7.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the operation status confirmation detection means for confirming the operation status of the measuring unit of the metal analyzer is provided, and the detection information from the operation status confirmation detection means is transmitted via the communication means. It can be transmitted to a monitoring computer. Therefore, before debugging or installing software, it is possible to check whether there is any abnormality in each device of the measurement unit with the monitoring computer (manufacturer) at the developer's hand, so extra time and effort are required. It does not take. In other words, it is possible to check whether there is an abnormality in each device of the measurement unit before performing debugging on the software, so it is possible to narrow the analysis value abnormality to a bug in the analysis software. It takes less time and effort.
In addition, when debugging or installing the metal analyzer on-line, it is not necessary to dispatch personnel or send media, so that it can be processed quickly and is economical.
[0031]
Furthermore, since the detection information can be regularly transmitted to the monitoring computer to predict the abnormality of the metal analyzer, maintenance can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a monitoring system for a metal analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a metal analyzer.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a modified example of the monitoring system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Metal Analyzer 2: PC (second computer for monitoring)
3: Microcomputer (first computer for analysis)
4: Measuring unit 5: Communication means 9: Electric furnace (furnace)
10: Flue 11: Concentration detector a: Measured value A, P, R: Detection means for confirming operation status G: Analytical gas

Claims (5)

A measurement unit having a gas concentration detector for detecting the concentration of gas generated from the metal supplied to the furnace, and the measurement value from the measurement unit and analysis software including a predetermined calculation program In a monitoring method for a metal analyzer comprising an analysis first computer for calculating an element concentration and outputting the element concentration,
A second computer for monitoring that transmits a program for finding bugs in the analysis software to the first computer via communication means to the metal analyzer;
Before the program for finding the bug is activated , the detection means for operating status confirmation provided in the metal analyzer is a measurement value for operating status confirmation from the operating status confirmation detector of the measurement unit, Detection information obtained by discriminating the operating status of the measurement unit from the setting value and analysis history incorporated in the confirmation detection means is used for the monitoring via the first computer for analysis and the communication means. The monitoring method of the metal analyzer transmitted to the second computer. In claim 1,
The method for monitoring a metal analyzer, wherein the detection means for operating condition confirmation detects an open / close state of an on-off valve of a flow channel for introducing an analysis gas into the gas concentration detector. In claim 1,
A monitoring method for a metal analyzer, wherein the furnace is a combustion furnace for burning metal, and the detection means for operating condition confirmation detects whether or not the metal is burning in the combustion furnace. In claim 1,
The method for monitoring a metal analyzer, wherein the detection means for operating condition confirmation detects a resistance value of a heater of a temperature controller for adjusting a furnace temperature. In claim 1,
The method for monitoring a metal analyzer, wherein the operation status confirmation detecting means detects the insertion by a transport device for transporting the crucible for charging the metal.

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